Published: 11:03 AM, 11 April 2026
Experts seek removal of vape ban before tobacco law is passed
Analysts have recommended withdrawing provisions related to e-cigarettes or vaping products from the proposed tobacco control ordinance, arguing that the law should be approved by parliament without those restrictions, taking into account both public health and economic considerations. They said e-cigarettes and vaping products are widely recognised in many countries as less harmful alternatives that can help reduce smoking-related harm. Several countries have reduced smoking rates by allowing vaping, while bans elsewhere have led to increased tobacco use, expansion of black markets and significant revenue losses.
Bangladesh could face similar outcomes if the ban remains in place, they warned. The Smoking and Tobacco Products Usage (Control) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2025 was approved at a meeting of the interim government's advisory council on December 24 last year and promulgated on December 30. Stakeholders were not consulted prior to its finalisation. 1. Clause 6(GA) of the ordinance prohibits the production, import, export, storage, advertisement, promotion, sponsorship, marketing, distribution, sale, purchase and transportation of electronic nicotine delivery systems and their components, including e-cigarettes, vapes, vaporizers and e- liquids, as well as heated tobacco and other emerging tobacco products.
2. In early March, the High Court issued a rule questioning the provision, asking why Clause 6(GA) should not be declared unconstitutional. The order followed a preliminary hearing on a writ petition filed by 41 individuals, including importers and traders of e-cigarettes and vaping products.
3. Under the Constitution, parliament must decide on 133 ordinances issued during the interim government by April 10. The ordinances were placed at the first sitting of the 13th parliament, which began on March 12. Any ordinance not passed into law within 30 days of being placed before parliament will lapse automatically.
4. In this context, analysts have called for the vaping-related provision to be excluded from the ordinance and for the law to be approved within the stipulated timeframe. A parliamentary special committee formed to review the 133 ordinances has already recommended lifting the ban on e-cigarettes, according to sources.
5. A recent study titled "Tale of Two Nations: Bangladesh Versus New Zealand" found that New Zealand reduced smoking rates by adopting policies that allow alternatives such as vaping. Adult smoking prevalence there fell from 13.3 percent in 2015 to 6.9 percent in 2022. In Bangladesh, the rate declined from 23 percent to 17 percent over the same period.
6. Experts also pointed to Australia's experience, where vaping products are effectively restricted. This has led to a sharp rise in the illicit market. According to the Australian Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette Commissioner, around 95 percent of vaping products in use are now illegal. Annual excise and duty losses from illicit tobacco and vaping trade are estimated at between $7.7 billion and $11.8 billion. Nicotine use has also increased following the ban on non-therapeutic vapes.
7. Schumann Zaman, president of the Bangladesh Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Traders Association, said that although vaping is recognised internationally as a less harmful alternative, imports remain banned in Bangladesh while illicit products continue to enter the market through smuggling.
"This is resulting in revenue losses for the government, while the absence of regulation means product quality cannot be controlled," he said, adding that a supportive policy framework allowing legal import and sale could help curb illicit trade and reduce smoking rates in Bangladesh.
